Predictive modelling of growth and measurement of enzymatic synthesis and activity by a cocktail of selected Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas hydrophila.

The possibility was examined of developing a predictive model that would predict food spoilage by combining microbial growth (increase in cellular number) with extracellular enzymatic activity of a cocktail of five strains of Enterobacteriaceae: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter agglomerans, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris and one Aeromonas hydrophila strain. Estimations of growth and enzyme activity were made within a three-dimensional matrix of conditions: temperature 2-20 degrees C, pH value 4.0-7.5 and water activity (a(w)) 0.95-0.995. A mathematical model was constructed which predicted growth based on increases in cell number. However, although notable effects of extracellular lipases and proteases were detected, it was not possible to model enzymatic activity and prepare a combined model because the data did not follow the characteristic profile that would allow curve-fitting. Nevertheless, the model for microbial growth and information relating to enzyme activity will be made freely available in a database on the internet.